You may wonder how the defense of the truth relates to an encouraging word. It would be easy to point out that it’s only in the truth that we can be free (John 8:32). That’s encouraging, right? Of course it is! However, I found encouragement in the defense of the truth in another way and that’s what I want to share with you to start off this week.
In every other discipline or walk of life, each of us takes a position or has an opinion with which people disagree. It’s true that we don’t see eye to eye with everyone, isn’t it? In the arena of politics, you may be a Democrat, Republican, Independent or Libertarian. You may think the economy will be better if the government raises taxes or you may think it would one better to cut taxes. You may think the country will be stronger with a strong federal government, or you may think the road to success lies in the direction of greater states’ rights. And even though opinions on these and other such subjects are vehemently defended and attacked, each position really is just a matter of opinion and there have been examples of success on both sides (and failures, too). When it comes to matters of faith, however, the majority doesn’t rule!
If the whole of mankind rejects the word of God, that word is still authoritative and will judge every one of us in the end (John 12:48). Here’s the encouraging part: I don’t have to worry about whether or not I’m with the majority of people when it comes to the defense of the truth. From a purely human point of view, it’s terribly discouraging when we find ourselves outnumbered by those who do not obey the command to “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). Nevertheless, if we do hold fast that confession, God is faithful and we will be on the winning side when this good fight is finished.
A good friend of mine commented on the fact that sometimes those who seem the strongest in this good fight, stumble or disagree with others “on our side.” That, too, is very discouraging. Sometimes it seems that just when we start making progress, the devil is able to strike down one of our mightiest warriors. There are other good, faithful brethren who cringe at the very sound of the words “good fight” because of the way that good fight has been waged, sometimes hatefully and maliciously. When you put all of this together we find ourselves fixed squarely on the horns of a dilemma. Which side is right? The liberals, who would change the Scriptures and the church of our Lord? Or the conservatives, who, in their defense of the truth, sometimes kill the very ones they should have rescued from the hand of the enemy? The truth is, God’s side is the right side!
A few years ago this very point was brought home to my (sometimes feeble) mind. Another dear friend of mine reached out to me out of love and concern about the malicious tone of some people in their defense of the truth. Every one of us needs to stop and consider our defense of the truth, our part in the good fight. I had recently had the opportunity to exchange emails with more than one person on very sensitive and even embarrassing subjects. There was a distinct possibility that someone could have been offended and responded in anger. Because of that possibility, I was hesitant to even make the effort. The last thing I want to do is offend someone or cause that person to feel anger at me or anyone else. Yet, I could not ignore the issues. I cannot begin to describe to you the encouragement I felt when each of the people to whom I refer responded with kindness and love, even if we didn’t agree on those particular points.
“If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame” (2 Thessalonians 3:14). That means that sometimes some very difficult communication is going to have to take place. This is also a command very often ignored. We don’t want to call people’s names and we certainly don’t want to put anyone to shame. However, if we follow the rest of Paul’s command, the results will be better than we think. “Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thessalonians 3:15).
What does all this mean for you and me as we head out the door to work this morning and this week? It means that all you really need to concentrate on is pleasing God and keeping on His good side. And He’s given you everything you need to know how to accomplish that (2 Peter 1:3). And even when you have a disagreement with someone around you, if you have the right attitude in your defense of the truth (including the attitude that makes you repent if you turn out to be defending something false), God will still cause all things to work out for your good (Romans 8:28). I hope that encourages you this week as much as it encourages me. God bless you and love you. I know I do.
Donnie Bates